Ayomide-Kingsley's Info-reviews

Heritage Bank Holds Maiden SME Business Exhibition

2014-10-08T10:16:00.000+01:00

Heritage Banking Company Limited has announced plans to host its maiden Business Fair to support the growth of Small and Medium

Enterprises (SMEs) in the country. The two-day Business exhibition is one of the key activities marking the Bank’s 2014 Customer Service Week scheduled for October.

Explaining the rationale behind the maiden Business Fair, Group Head, SME, Heritage Banking Company Limited, Bayo Ogunnusi said, “In line with Heritage Bank’s cherished vision of promoting economic development through supports for SME’s, we will be hosting our esteemed customers to a two-day Business Fair aimed at showcasing their businesses to new customers and members of the public”.

He added that the business exhibition will be value driven, as the Bank has concluded plans with Google, Microsoft and different departments with innovative products at Heritage Bank stable to offer on-the-spot advisory services on strategies of optimizing businesses using modern business tools and plugging into unexploited business opportunities arising from the nation’s rebased economic profile.

‘There will be a lot of value-added offerings by Heritage Bank to the participating organizations. There will be business clinic, funfair, networking, MasterCard utilization and opportunity for non-card holders to open their accounts. Google and Microsoft will be on hand to guide business owners on how to take their businesses to the next level”, he explained.

Bayo noted further that the Business Fair is aimed at facilitating meeting point between buyers and sellers of innovative business ideas and products amongst the Bank’s growing customers and prospective Nigerians passionate about made-in-Nigeria products and other quality products created by entrepreneurs.

The two-day Business Exhibition is scheduled to take place on October 9th & 10th, 2014 at the Heritage Bank Training Centre, ‘The Refinery’, located at 72B Adetokunbo Ademola Street, Victoria Island.

97 SOLDIERS ACCUSED OF REFUSING TO FIGHT BOKO HARAM

2014-10-08T09:31:00.001+01:00

A court-martial Thursday began hearing charges against 97 soldiers, including 16 officers, accused of mutiny, assault, cowardice and refusing to fight in the country's northeastern Islamic uprising.

Thursday's mass trial comes two weeks after 12 soldiers were sentenced to death by firing squad for mutiny and attempted murder of their commanding officer.

Troops regularly have complained that they are outgunned by Boko Haram insurgents, that they are not paid in full and that they are abandoned on the battlefield without enough ammunition or food. Endemic corruption in Nigeria means millions of dollars goes missing from the budget to fight the 5-year-old Islamic uprising that has killed thousands.

Some soldiers have told The Associated Press that some of their colleagues collude with Boko Haram insurgents, giving them weapons and information.

The uprising grabbed international attention with the April kidnapping of more than 270 schoolgirls. Dozens escaped by the government and military failure to rescue 219 still missing has brought condemnation.

President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday praised soldiers for "inflicting devastating blows at the heart of terror" in the uprising centered in the northeast though suicide and car bombs have killed hundreds of people in northern cities and the central capital, Abuja

"Driven by patriotic zeal, they are turning the tide by their prowess and determination," Jonathan said in a broadcast to the nation marking 54 years of independence from Britain.

The Ministry of Defense and witnesses have reported that recent punishing bombing raids and ground attacks have repelled the insurgents and stopped them just 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the northeast city of Maiduguri, the birthplace of the Boko Haram extremists and headquarters of the military campaign.

Boko Haram fighters last month seized a string of towns where they have declared an Islamic caliphate, in the style of the Islamic State group.

Nigerian Students from Convenant University Builds 2 cars.....

2014-10-07T13:42:00.000+01:00

A ground breaking breakthrough has been made at the convenant university Nigeria

The first hybrid car was unveil by the Bishop of a High sTandard, my Father in the Lord Bishop David Olaniyi Oyedepo last Sunday at Canaanland, Ota

It has also being recorded that two student has build cars from the scratch..

One of the cars uses generator and the other powered by batteries that acts like inverters. The hybrid car which consumes 1 litre of fuel for 60km/hr journey is the blue car while the other is a red car that runs on battery.

The students also built tri-cycles.

Nigerian is getting better ooo…

Meet the woman Ini Edo snatched her husband from in the US

2014-10-07T13:15:00.002+01:00

Ruth Okoro

Stories have it that when ini met Philip in 2007, Philip had a tough time dealing with himself without ini, so he left the wife and went to flex with ini

The ex wife of Philips Ehiagwina who is a fellow of ini in the acting business has since moved on after ini and Philip got married in 2008.

there is God ooooo!

How politics stalled 2nd Niger Bridge, 21 years after it was designed

2013-02-19T12:33:00.003+01:00

ISSUES bordering on the very poor state of the River Niger Bridge at Onitsha and the urgent need to build a second bridge across the River took the centre stage at one of the sessions of the House
of Representatives last week.

The House passed a motion sponsored by Mr. Ezenwa Onyewuchi, representing Owerri Federal Constituency of Imo State, which observed that the current River Niger bridge which was built in 1965, is at the brink of caving in. In passing the motion, the House urged the Federal Government to engage the services of a competent contractor to commence the construction of a second Niger bridge to support the one presently in use.

Presenting the motion, Onyewuchi noted that the bridge, which links the South-East, South-South and South-West and some northern states, is on the verge of collapse due to its age, over use and lack of maintenance.

“There is evidence of corrosion and cracks to the structural members of the bridge, which has been stretched beyond its limits and capacity, ” he said, adding that “the promises of constructing a second Niger Bridge by the past and present administrations has been a mirage.”

Building a second bridge across the River Niger has become an over-flogged issue since 1992 when former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida challenged. Nigerian Engineers to come up with the design of the bridge.

Overbearing deadweight
The River Niger bridge has become a nightmare to commuters mainly due to poor maintenance, overuse, frequent subjection to overbearing deadweight and cannibalisation. The dead weight is a product of the traffic snarl that has become a regular feature at the imposing bridge.

Apart from the observation made by Mr. Onyewuchi on the floor of the House of Reps, fears have previously been raised in many quarters that the bridge may soon cave in. The current bridge which links the River Niger from Asaba to Onitsha, was actually initiated by the British colonial government and completed just before the civil war.

Missing bolts, nuts and other key metal components from the steel bridge prompted the Federal Government to undertake rehabilitation work on it about six years ago. These palliative measures lasted for a short time before the bridge became stressed again. Experts posit that the only solution remains the construction of a second bridge to link the Owerri end of Onitsha town.

Vanguard Homes & Property recalls that due to the persistent calls by concerned users of the bridge who noted that age was no longer on its side and that if nothing was done to remedy the situation, the bridge will, one day cave in, the then Works & Housing Minister, Major-General Mamman Kotyangora, an Engineer, persuaded the Babangida regime to challenge indigenous engineers with the design and construction of the bridge.

The Nigerian Society of Engineers NSE, rose to the challenge and formed a management consultancy company known as NSE PREMS which did the design of the bridge. Unfortunately, the project did not take off as the Federal government later came up with the idea of adding an East -West rail line to the project. This later developed signalled the commencement of intense politicking on the construction of the bridge with successive governments merely pay lip service to the project.

About three years ago, the former Minister of Works, Senator Mohammed Sanusi Daggash raised the hope of millions of users of the bridge when he assured Nigerians that the present administration is desirous and committed to the construction of the 2nd Niger Bridge.

He noted that the construction of a second bridge across the Niger had become expedient and assured Nigerians that while maintenance works will continue on the existing bridge, the Federal Government would work assiduously to construct a new one. Daggash was later removed from office and the issue died.

In August last year, the the Federal Government again resurrected the issue of building a 2nd Niger Bridge. The government said it has approved a contract of N325 million to Messrs Roughton International Limited, a transaction advisory services firm, to design, build, finance and operate the proposed second Niger Bridge.

Minister of Information, Labaran Maku, and his Ministry of Works counterpart, Mike Onolememen, told State House correspondents that the government is targeting the third quarter of this year as the period when the ground breaking ceremony of the project will be performed.

Onolememen explained that the Federal Government approved the project in order to address the problems of accidents that road users on the route face so that there will be free movement of traffic between the South-west and South-east.

How politics stalled 2nd Niger Bridge, 21 years after it was designed

2013-02-19T12:33:00.001+01:00

Things You Should Never Say At Work

2013-02-18T14:04:00.004+01:00

In speaking with hundreds of executives and senior leaders over the past twenty years, certain phrases consistently come up as career-limiting phrases that jeopardize one’s professional image
and potential for promotion,” Price says. “To the speaker they may seem like harmless words, however, to the listener they reveal a more critical issue: In a workplace where employers must be cutting-edge, competitive, and cost-effective, employees who use these phrases will likely be replaced with those who convey a more positive attitude, collaborative spirit, proactive behavior and professional demeanor
.” Here are 13 phrases that should be banned from the office:

“It’s not fair.”

She got a raise, you didn’t. He was recognized, you weren’t. “Some people have food to eat while others starve,” Price says. “Injustices happen on the job and in the world every day. Whether it’s a troubling issue at work or a serious problem for the planet, the point in avoiding this phrase is to be proactive about the issues versus complaining, or worse, passively whining.” Instead, document the facts, build a case, and present an intelligent argument to the person or group who can help you.

“That’s not my problem,” “That’s not my job,” or “I don’t get paid enough for this.”

If you asked someone for help, and the person replied with one of the above phrases, how would you feel? “As importantly, what would it say about him or her?” Price says. “Regardless of how inconvenient or inappropriate a request may be, it is likely important to the other person or they would not have asked. Therefore, as a contributing member of the team, a top priority is to care about the success of others (or at least act as though you do).” An unconcerned, detached and self-serving attitude quickly limits career advancement.

“This doesn’t mean you have to say yes; it does mean you need to be articulate and thoughtful when saying no,” she adds. “For example, if your boss issues an unreasonable request, rather than saying, ‘You’ve got to be kidding me. I don’t get paid enough for this,’ instead say, ‘I’ll be glad to help. Given my current tasks of A, B, and C, which one of these shall I place on hold while I work on this new assignment?’ This clearly communicates teamwork and helpfulness, while reminding your boss of your current work load and the need to set realistic expectations.”

“I think…”

Which of these two statements sounds more authoritative?: “I think our company might be a good partner for you.” Or, “I believe…” “I know…” or “I am confident that our company will be a good partner for you.”

“There is a slight difference in the wording, however the conviction communicated to your customer is profound,” she says. “You may have noticed, the first phrase contains two weak words, ‘think’ and ‘might.’ They risk making you sound unsure or insecure about the message. Conversely, the second sentence is assertive and certain. To convey a command of content and passion for your subject, substitute the word ‘think’ with ‘believe’ and replace ‘might’ with ‘will.’”

“No problem.”

When someone thanks you, the courteous and polite reply is, “You’re welcome.”

“The meaning implies that it was a pleasure for you to help the person, and that you receive their appreciation,” Price says. “Though the casual laid-back phrase, ‘no problem’ may intend to communicate this, it falls short. It actually negates the person’s appreciation and implies the situation could have been a problem under other circumstances.” In business and social situations, if you want to be perceived as well-mannered and considerate, respond to thank you’s with, “You’re welcome.”

“I’ll try.”

“Imagine it’s April 15^th and you ask a friend to mail your tax returns before 5pm on his way to the post office,” Price says. “If he replies, ‘Okay, I’ll try,’ you’ll likely feel the need to mail them yourself.” Why? Because that phrase implies the possibility of failure.

“In your speech, especially with senior leaders, replace the word ‘try’ with the word and intention of ‘will.’ This seemingly small change speaks volumes,” she adds.

“He’s a jerk,” or “She’s lazy,” or “My job stinks,” or “I hate this company.”

Nothing tanks a career faster than name-calling, Price says. “Not only does it reveal juvenile school-yard immaturity, it’s language that is liable and fire-able.”

Avoid making unkind, judgmental statements that will inevitably reflect poorly on you. If you have a genuine complaint about someone or something, communicate the issue with tact, consideration and neutralit

How Michael Jordan Still Earns $80 Million A Year

2013-02-18T13:56:00.001+01:00

The Jordan Brand, a division of Nike, is responsible for the vast majority of MJ’s earnings. Jordan partnered with Nike after being drafted by the Bulls out of North Carolina in 1984. The original five-year deal was
worth $500,000 annually, plus royalties. The terms of Jordan’s current deal with Nike are a closely guarded secret, but royalties now generate more than $60 million annually for MJ, according to sources.

Nearly 30 years later, the brand is still a marketing juggernaut. It controlled 58% of the U.S. basketball shoe market in 2012, according to research firm SportsOneSource. The Jordan Brand’s parent, Nike, was second with a 34% share, while Adidas (5.5%), Reebok (1.6%) and Under Armour (0.6%) divvied up the leftovers.

Nike signed up current NBA stars Carmelo Anthony, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul, as well as non-NBAers like Derek Jeter and Nascar’s Denny Hamlin for the Jordan Brand. But the star is still Jordan and the Air Jordan franchise.

Nike will release the Air Jordan XX8 this weekend to coincide with the NBA All-Star game. It is the 28th shoe in the Jordan franchise. The suggested retail price is $250. In addition to new Air Jordans, Nike continues to pump out retro versions of the franchise with an average selling price of $130 to $150.

The Jordan Brand is doing “exceptionally well” says Susquehanna Financial analyst Christopher Svezia. He estimates the brand grew 25-30% in 2012 and now generates more than $1.75 billion globally, including apparel. The U.S. Jordan Brand sneaker business alone had $1.25 billion in wholesale revenue in 2012, says Matt Powell, an analyst at SportsOneSource. LeBron James is the top-seller among current NBA players with signature shoe deals, but Jordan outsold James by a 6 to 1 margin in 2012 in the U.S.

Gatorade, Hanes and Upper Deck are long-time Jordan sponsors. 2K Sports put Jordan on the cover of its NBA 2K11 and 2K12 video games. His latest deal is with Presbyterian Healthcare and its Winston-Salem parent, Novant Health. The agreement signed last year was part of a sponsorship renewal for the Bobcats franchise. It was the first time Jordan included himself as a carrot to close a team sponsorship deal. Jordan will appear in TV ads for the hospital system.

Jordan still resonates strongly with consumers. His 22 million Facebook fans rank fourth among athletes, behind only soccer icons Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and David Beckham. His Q score, which measures awareness and popularity, is 43 among sports fans. The next highest active athlete is Peyton Manning at 32. Jordan has had the top Q score among sports fans every year since 1987. The one exception was in 1990 when Joe Montana usurped him for a single year (Tiger Woods is the only athlete to top MJ’s Q Score among the general population, which he did once in 2008).

“Jordan is unique in that he has been able to maintain that emotional connection with his consumer base for more than 25 years,” says Henry Schafer, Executive Vice-President at the Q Score Company.

Jordan’s net worth is estimated at $650 million thanks to years of endorsement checks and $90 million in salary from the Bulls. Jordan’s net worth has the potential to surge through his 80% stake in the Bobcats. The team has been losing as much as $20 million annually and part of Jordan’s ownership agreement included providing working capital to cover those losses. Those deficits will shrink under the NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, which triples the amount of revenue sharing from high-revenue to low-revenue teams. The Bobcats will be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the new plan and are expected to receive as much as $18 million annually by next season. The value of the Bobcats was up 14% to $315 million, including $150 million in debt, in Forbes recent annual look at the business of basketball.

HEALTH: erectile dyfunction could also be related to heart disease

2013-02-16T11:03:00.003+01:00

Doctors should look more closely at the overall health of impotent men, a large new study suggests.

Men with even mild erectile dysfunction -- but no known heart problems -- face a major extra risk of developing cardiovascular conditions in the future. And as erectile dysfunction becomes more pronounced, signs of hidden heart disease and earlier death risk grow.

Not surprisingly, men already known to have a heart condition along with severe erectile dysfunction fare worst of all, the Australian researchers found.

Among men aged 45 and up without diagnosed heart disease, those with moderate or severe erectile dysfunction were up to 50 percent more likely to be hospitalized for heart problems, according to an adjusted analysis. Erectile dysfunction boosted the risk for hospitalization even more when men had a history of cardiovascular disease.

Erectile problems, which become more likely as men grow older, aren't a guarantee of heart problems. Still, men with erectile dysfunction should "take action by seeing a health professional and asking for a heart check," said study lead author Dr. Emily Banks. "Men with erectile dysfunction need to be assessed for their future risk of cardiovascular disease, and any identified risk must be managed appropriately."

Banks is a professor of epidemiology at the Australian National University's National Center for Epidemiology and Population Health.

Banks said an estimated 60 percent of men aged 70 and up suffer from moderate to severe erectile dysfunction. The condition can place major limits on sexual activity and require the use of drugs like Viagra that can come with side effects and awkward challenges when it comes to the timing of doses.

A variety of causes can contribute to impotence, but "it is widely acknowledged that erectile dysfunction is predominantly the result of underlying cardiovascular disease," Banks said.

Doctors already believe that erectile dysfunction is an early warning sign of heart problems, but it's not clear why. It's possible, Banks said, that the arteries of the penis are smaller than those of other parts of the body and may be more likely to reveal problems when their lining deteriorates.

The new study aims to gain more insight into how the severity of erectile dysfunction translates into a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. The researchers tracked more than 95,000 men aged 45 and up, and compared data collected between 2006 and 2009 to data collected in 2010.

The researchers adjusted their statistics so they wouldn't be thrown off by factors like high or low numbers of men who smoked or drank alcohol, or were wealthy or poor. They found that the men with severe erectile dysfunction, compared to those with no problem, were eight times more likely to have heart failure, 60 percent more likely to have heart disease and almost twice as likely to die of any cause.

HEALTH: how to avoid miscarriges

2013-02-16T10:39:00.001+01:00

The first, and perhaps most important, step in a healthy pregnancy is getting prenatal care. This means finding an obstetrician right after a positive pregnancy test.

The doctor will recommend prenatal vitamins, which are rich in many nutrients expectant mothers need, like calcium, iron and folic acid. Folic acid is especially important in the first few weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus is developing its neural tube, which eventually develops into the brain and spinal cord. A lack of folic acid during this period can result in birth defects. The recommended daily amount is 400 micrograms. There is enough folic acid in prenatal vitamins, and even in some multivitamins, but you can't get too much of it, so a healthy diet with foods rich in folic acid is recommended as well.

Between doctor's visits, pregnant women should follow a healthy diet, exercise on a regular basis, keep their "baby weight" within healthy limits, and try to manage stress levels. Many doctors believe that good health should begin before you even conceive in order to ensure the healthiest pregnancy possible. In fact, taking folic acid even before you get pregnant can help prevent birth defects.

While there are plenty of vitamins and foods that you should ingest, there are a few things expectant mothers should avoid. They shouldn't smoke or even be around smoke. Either of these behaviors doubles the risk of placental problems and low birth weight. It also increases the risk of having a premature baby. However, there is good news. If a woman quits smoking during her first trimester, the risk returns to that of a woman who never smoked. Other things to avoid while pregnant include excessive amounts of caffeine, exposure to X-rays and, of course, contact sports or other dangerous physical activities [source: March of Dimes].

It's also important for any woman who may suffer from a chronic health condition to take extra special care of herself. Women with high blood pressure should start checking their pressure at home and discussing medication changes with their doctors. Also, women with diabetes should check their blood sugar several times a day and adjust their insulin or oral medications as needed. Finally, pregnant women should treat any bacterial or viral infections. Some viral infections, like chlamydia or herpes, can determine if baby will be born vaginally or via Caesarean section.

15 highest paid hollywood actors

2013-02-14T17:30:00.003+01:00

We all watch Hollywood movies since our childhood. The type of movies may change over the time, and so as our favorite movie actors. With consensus, Hollywood is the biggest entertainment production world, with billions and billions of dollars floating around. More than what we could imagine a movie to cost, there are

various Hollywood actors that are paid couple of times more than that sum. Below, we have compiled top 15 highest paid Hollywood actors of all time. Spoiling for you before, Titanic star (who rocked the world with the 11 oscar awards) leads the list with mouth watering margin. You may like to read: * Top 2 Worlds Most Expensive Car Washes * Top 10 Most Expensive Hotels Rooms In The World #15 Matt Damon Per movie rate: $18 million Matthew Paige Damon born in October 8, 1970 is an American actor/screenwriter who debut his career with a success film Good Will Hunting in 1997. Matt Damon #14 Brad Pitt Per movie rate: $20 million William Bradley Pitt was born in18 December 1963. He is an American actor and film producer who received four Academy award and won one golden globe. He has been described as one of the world's most attractive men, a label for which he has received substantial media attention. Brad Pitt #13 Robert Pattison Robert PattisonPer movie rate: $20 million Robert Douglas Thomas Pattinson was born in 13 May 1986 who is a popular English actor, model, musician and a producer. He started his career by debuting with a super hit movie series Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. He later has a leading role in Twilight novels that gave him world wide fame. #12 Daniel Craig Per movie rate: $20 million Daniel Wroughton Craig was born on, 2 March 1968. He is a British actor best known for playing British secret agent James Bond in a 2006. Daniel Craig #11 Jim Carrey Jim Carrey Per movie rate: $20 million James Eugene Carrey was born on January 17, 1962. He is a Canadian-American actor, comedian, and producer. Carrey has won 2 Golden Global awards. Known for his highly energetic, slapstick performances, he has been described as one of the biggest movie stars in Hollywood. #10 Tom Cruise Per movie rate: $22 million Thomas Cruise Mapother was born on July 3, 1962 who won 3 Golden Global awards and was nominated for 3 academy awards. He is known for his popular movie Top Gun and Mission Impossible series. Tom Cruise #9 Tim Allen Per movie rate: $22 million He was born on June 13, 1953. Tim Allen is an American comedian, actor and a voice over artist who was known for his popular movie series Santa Clause, Home improvement, Toy Story series and Galaxy Quest. Tim Allen #8 Mark Wahlberg Per movie rate: $28 million Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg was born on June 5, 1971. The American actor is known for his popular movies : Planet of the Apes, Fear, Three Kings, The Perfect Storm, Invincible etc. Mark Wahlberg #7 Robert Downe Robert Downey Per movie rate: $31 million Robert John Downey Jr. was born in Apirl 4, 1965 who made his screen debut in 1970 at the age of five, working in his fathers film, Pound. He played Charlie Chaplin in 1992 film Chaplin for which he was awarded Academy Award nomination for best actor. #6 Ben Stiller Robert Downey Jr Per movie rate: $34 million Benjamin Edward "Ben" Stiller was born on November 30, 1965. The American comedian actor was known for his super hit movies : Knight at the museum, Meet the parents, Heavyweights etc. #5 Tom Hanks Per movie rate: $35 million Thomas Jeffrey Hanks was born on July 9, 1956. The American actor, producer, writer and director is known for his roles in Philadelphia. Hanks was popular for his roles in Apollo 13, The Green Mile etc. Tom Hanks #4 Will Smith Per movie rate: $36 million Willard Christopher Smith was born on September 25, 1968 who is known for this stage name, The Fresh Prince. Smith has won multiple Grammy Awards, 4 Golden Globe Awards and two Academy Awards. His most renound and successful films have been Bad Boys, Bad Boys II, Independence Day, the Men in Black films, Enemy of the State etc. Will Smith #3 Adam Sandler Per movie rate: $40 million Adam Sandler #2 Johnny Depp Per movie rate: $50 million Johnny Depp #1 Leonardo DiCaprio Per movie rate: $77 million Leonardo DiCaprio Leonardo Wilhelm DiCaprio was born November 11, 1974. He has been nominated for the Golden Globe Award eight times as an actor, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his performance in The Aviator. He has also been nominated by the Academy Awards, Screen Actors Guild, Satellite Awards, and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts.

celebrating love on val's day

2013-02-14T17:26:00.002+01:00

Today is Valentine’s Day. Every February 14, the world goes on fire. Love is seen hanging in the air. You smell it; you touch it. Even the blind feels the impact. The story of Valentine’s Day dates back to history. The celebration is believed to have started as a pagan feast. Later, a Catholic priest, St. Valentine, who was martyred in the fourth century, was said to have given the celebration a new meaning. Through his strong faith, he allegedly transformed the day, which has now survived the ages.

Now, it is turning the world around. Many have come to believe and embrace it as a day for lovers. And they are doing incredible things to celebrate it. As the story goes, “Valentine’s Day has its origins in pagan times. In ancient Rome this feast day was known as Lupercalia, the “feast of Lupercus.” Lupercus was the Roman god that protected people from wolves, which were a great danger in that area. The wolves, which lived in the woods, would carry off the farmers’ sheep and goats. Sometimes the farmers and their families were not even safe.

“Each year in the middle of February, the Romans honoured the god Lupercus by giving him thanks for protecting them from the wolves. The people feasted, danced and played games. When the young men wanted partners for the dancing and games, they drew names of girls from a bowl. Sometimes they became sweethearts, too. This went on for hundreds of years. “When Christianity came to Rome, the Christian Romans put aside their belief in Lupercus but because Lupercalia was a happy time and they did not want to give it up, the feast of Lupercalia was replaced with the feast of St. Valentine.

“Then one year, a young couple, Julius and Octavia, loved each other very much and wanted to get married. Since Julius was a soldier and soldiers in that city were not allowed to get married, they decided to get married secretly. They went to Fr. Valentine, a very kind priest, who lived outside the city. “When Julius and Octavia arrived at Fr. Valentine’s home, they found a beautiful flower garden. Fr. Valentine was surrounded by little children, who were helping him with his plants and flowers. As the children left, Fr. Valentine gave each of them a bouquet of flowers to take with them. “Some time later, Fr. Valentine married Julius and Octavia, who were very happy to be married by a Christian priest. They knew God would be pleased with them.

“One day the children went to the garden to visit Fr. Valentine. When they arrived, they found the flowers trampled and the house empty. Fr. Valentine had been taken away to the jail because he believed that Jesus was God. Fr. Valentine was not afraid. He trusted in God to help him. “The children decided to take care of Fr. Valentine’s garden. They knew that would make him happy. Every day some of the children would take him flowers from his garden. The jailer’s blind daughter took the flowers into the jail and gave them to Fr. Valentine. “The jailer’s daughter was very kind to Fr. Valentine. Before Fr. Valentine was put to death for believing in God, he prayed to Jesus, asking Him to heal the jailer’s daughter of her blindness and she was healed.

Before Fr. Valentine died, he wrote her a good-bye letter and signed it “From Your Valentine.” Ever since then, February 14, the day Fr. Valentine died, became a day of celebration.” But a Lagos-based Catholic priest isn’t pleased that the day has become something else. Reverend Father Michael Afrifa said the church acknowledges and celebrates St Valentine just like every other saint, adding that he is seen as a past hero. According to him, the late priest symbolises love and that is why “February 14 in the Church’s liturgical calendar is dedicated to showing love. It is a call to love because love is everything and God’s worship is love. It should not be a one-day affair; rather it draws attention to the fact that the love of God and man ought to be practised everyday.”

Fr. Afrifa regretted that the love Valentine portrays has been distorted. “Now, the world has a different idea of St Valentine’s Day. Many people have designated the day as Lovers’ Day. This shouldn’t be so. Nowadays, you see minors saying ‘this is my lover!’ This is a distorted view of the love St Valentine meant. Once you hear minors talking about love from the erotic sense, the next thing, they begin to sleep with each other. That is why the former Archbishop of Lagos, Anthony Cardinal Okogie was always calling the young ones together on St Valentine’s Day to explain to them what the day is and what it’s not.

The idea was to direct their minds to the true meaning of St Valentine’s Day.” Meanwhile, a housewife in Lagos, Mrs. Osaro, has told Daily Sun that her three children in a private nursery and primary school in Surulere have been asked by the schoolteachers to prepare for the Lovers’ Day today. The children, a male and two females, were handed a dress code – a white top upon red trousers or skirts. “I have been searching for a pair of red trousers for my son who is eight,” she said. “Before the D-day, I would have got something for the girls too since I don’t want them to look different from their peers.”

A teacher, Madam Angelina, who heads a public primary school in Ibadan, Oyo State, admitted that children in most private schools across the country were being told to wear “love dresses” to school on Valentine’s Day. She said it was a good idea to teach the children love and sharing but wrong to compel them to wear some particular dress as a show of love. “In the public schools, this is unacceptable. It is not in our programme. But some private school owners compel their pupils to come to school in dresses which depict love.

It is good to teach the children love, sharing and exchange of gifts. This will help to prepare them for life in the future. But one has to be careful not to encourage immorality,” she warned. A university teacher, Dr Nkechi Christopher, who teaches Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan, has doubts if Valentine’s Day celebration by primary and secondary school pupils is being done in the right spirit. “It is possible that they are celebrating Valentine’s Day while leaving the spirit behind.

If it is so, then where are they directing the love? “In our days in the secondary school, we were taught to embrace the spirit of Valentine’s Day. But the beauty of it then was that ours was an all girls’ school. We were encouraged to make new friends among ourselves. We picked ballots to select our Valentine mates whom we gave gifts. But that was as far as it went. Now it appears that the focus has shifted.” She urged parents to find out what most schools were doing with their children to ensure that they were not promoting immorality all in the name of celebrating Valentine’s Day. “If they are promoting true friendship and love, that is okay.

Part of the effort should be to ensure that such love is restricted to the platonic level. If it is not strictly so, I don’t see any reason children should be pushed to the point of embracing immorality so early in life,” she reasoned. Speaking in the same vein, Ese Omorebokhae who works with an NGO with interest in HIV/AIDS and youth management felt strongly that the Valentine’s Day is now a twisted celebration. She said: “I believe the idea is for young people to meet and make friends.

It should not be friends that will corrupt their lives – friends that will not help them learn new things and remain pure. “Unfortunately, many young ones are taking advantage of this day to do things that are immoral. They make a lot of things happen – young girls are taken to hotel rooms and deflowered, many get pregnant, relationships are broken and the future of many is shattered.”

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2013-02-14T17:14:00.001+01:00

When you hear the name Cossy Orjiakor, what comes to your mind first – of course, it’s the certified bad girl with the big bóobs and bossoms, right?

Well, Popular blogger Linda Ikeji published a story on Tuesday that had to do with Cossy (and her bóobs as usual) – the post generated loads of comments, but there was a remarkable one that may caught your attention.

One of the reader posted a comment that referenced Cossy’s role in almost breaking up her marriage.

She claimed that her marriage was threatened “due to the huge size of Cossy Orjiakor’s chest and her husband’s inordinate obsession with the “agent of darkness” breasts.”

The comment was posted by one Alice Okite.

“This lady again..a woman that nearly ruined my marriage..my husband became addicted to her bóobs and insisted I should enlarge my bóobs after putting birth to four children, including him that has been sucking the breast…he left home for a month just because I didn’t enlarge. tank God for my parents and pastors that talked sense into him. he is back to his senses. Cossy u are an agent of darkness.”

3 Days Old Pregnant Woman Gives Birth (LOOK)

2013-02-14T16:35:00.000+01:00

This is the story of a woman who gave birth three days after she got pregnant. Mrs Moffat, the woman whoa gave birth to a miraculous bouncing baby boy was interviewed live on Radio Zimbabwe by a popular and celebrated radio talk show host Tilda Moyo. Mr and Mrs Moffat confirmed the miracle during the radio programme as the woman narrated what really took place.

Sharing her testimony, Mrs Moffat said she had normal m*nstrual periods which ended on 15th November 2012. She revealed that on 16 November the couple got intimate, just like would do on any other day.

On the 18th of November 2012 when the couple went to UFI Church, founded by flamboyant preacher, Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa, who, during the service, prayed for female congregants who had pregnancies with complications.

The woman said Prophet Makandiwa declared that there would be a miracle pregnancy and deliverance within a space of hours, days and weeks and that is when Mrs Moffat began experiencing some signs of labour pains on her back and on the belly.

“When I started having these pains I was rushed to doctors in town who prescribed me some medication to buy at a local pharmacy. On our way to Chitungwiza, where we stay, my husband and I jumped into a kombi.

That is when my condition further deteriorated and my belly miraculously ballooned. It instantly grew to the size of a pregnant woman and both of us got surprised,” she said.

The mother of the miracle baby said they urged the kombi driver to increase speed and rush them to Chitungwiza Hospital. “After narrating my signs and symptoms to a nurse at the hospital, she instructed me to go straight to the labour room. This shocked both my husband and I. I later gave birth to a miracle bouncing baby boy whom we named Emmanuel,” she revealed. Seriously, do you believe this?

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2013-02-14T16:18:00.001+01:00

http://news2.onlinenigeria.com/odd/248622-omg-see-a-dog-set-to-be-presented-as-valentine-gift-in-calabar.html

slap cheek disease

2013-02-06T14:07:00.000+01:00

HEALTH & FITNESS

Slapped cheek disease or fifth disease is also medically referred to as erythema infectiosum. It is an infection caused by the parvovirus B19 virus. It most commonly occurs in children aged 4-12 years, but anyone can be affected. It is infectious, which means it can be passed on from one person to another. The infectious period is for 4-20 days before the rash appears. By the time the rash develops, it is usually no longer infectious.

A number of individuals have had this infection in the past, usually without realising it. One normally has slapped cheek disease only once in a lifetime. This is because antibodies made during the infection protect one from future infections with this same virus.

Parvoviruses are among the smallest DNA-containing viruses known to infect mammals (hence the name parvus, which is Latin for small). The only parvovirus known to be pathogenic in humans is parvovirus B19, discovered in 1974 whilst testing for serum hepatitis B antigens. It was so called because it occurred in serum sample 19, panel B. It is a single-strand DNA virus with no lipid coat, which makes it very resistant to the normal means of killing viruses, such as disinfectants and freezing.

Parvovirus is an extremely common infection. Approximately 60% of adults are seropositive to parvovirus B19 by the age of 20 years. The most common clinical encounter with parvovirus B19 is as the causative agent of erythema infectiosum (fifth disease).

Infectivity and transmission
•Transmission is usually via respiratory secretions, but it can also be passed on via blood transfusion, bone marrow transplant, other blood products (but not intramuscular immunoglobulins), and from mother to baby via the placenta.
•The incubation period for clinical erythema infectiosum is 13-18 days. The illness is infective from 10 days pre-rash until the onset of the rash. Once the rash appears, it is no longer infectious.
•Infectivity is medium. For susceptible individuals during epidemics, the attack rate is 50% for household contacts and schoolchildren, and 30% for teachers.
•One attack confers lifelong immunity

Symptoms of slapped cheek disease
May be asymptomatic (about 25 percent of infections); or may present only with nonspecific coryzal symptoms (common).
Prodromal symptoms are mild but may include headache, rhinitis, low-grade fever and malaise. Less commonly, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain or arthropathy may develop.
After 3-7 days, the classic ‘slapped cheek’ rash appears as erythema on the cheeks, sparing the nose, regions around the eyes and the mouth. This disappears after 2-4 days.

Rash
Typically, the rash looks like a bright red scald on one or both cheeks. It looks as if the cheek(s) have been slapped. Sometimes there is just a blotchy redness on the face. The rash is painless.
Sometimes a more widespread faint rash appears on the body, arms, and legs. Occasionally, the rash on the face and body keeps fading and returning several times for up to four weeks. However, it is more common for the rash to come and go completely within a few days.

Other symptoms
Although the rash can look quite dramatic, the illness itself is usually mild. Usually one feels not so ill. Headache or mild temperature (fever) for a few days may occur before the rash appears. Occasionally, mild pain and stiffness develop in one or more joints for a few days. This is more common in adults than children.
One the other hand, around one in five people who become infected with this virus do not develop any symptoms at all. Some people just have a fever and feel generally unwell, without any rashes.

Tests for slapped cheek disease
This condition is usually diagnosed by the appearance of the classical rash on the cheeks.
A blood test is sometimes performed. This will show if one has the disease and can also show if you have had this disease in the past, although, if you have had the disease in the past (even if you had it without developing any symptoms) then you will be immune to it.

Complications
Usually there are no complications. Rarely, the aching joint symptoms last for some time after the other symptoms have gone. The only times the illness may become more serious are:

Sickle cell disease
In children with some types of hereditary anaemia such as sickle cell disease, beta-thalassaemia and hereditary spherocytosis. This virus can cause these types of anaemia to become suddenly much worse.

Reduced immunity
In people with a weakened immune system. If you have leukaemia or cancer, have had an organ transplant or have HIV infection then you may develop a more serious illness with this infection.

Risk to pregnancy
In pregnant women. Most pregnant women are immune to this virus, or will not be seriously affected if they become infected by it. However, like some other viruses, the virus that causes slapped cheek disease can sometimes harm an unborn child. Miscarriage is more common in women who are infected with this virus before 20 weeks of pregnancy. Therefore, if you are pregnant, keep away from people who have slapped cheek disease. If you are pregnant and have been in contact with a person with the virus then your doctor may arrange for you to have a blood test.

Treatment
One does not usually need any treatment. If you have a headache, temperature or aches and pains, then painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen will help.
Although, in those who develop complications (which is very rare) treatment and special hospitalization may be required.

Preventing slapped cheek disease
There is no vaccine or treatment that prevents this infection. Frequent handwashing reduces the risk of this infection been transmitted to other people, hence promoting the culture of routine hand washing with soap remain ever a very important public health message.
There is no benefit of disallowing the child from going to school or one not going to work. since if one has this infection one is only infectious before the rash developed and not after, when it only becomes obvious.

Testosterone: Can it make you live longer?

2013-02-06T13:59:00.001+01:00

Dr Life (real name), on a billboard in Las Vegas, is seen as an inspiration

Bombarded with adverts promising a longer, healthier life, BBC News Los Angeles correspondent Peter Bowes goes in search of eternal youth.

Dr Jeffry Life, a Las Vegas-based age management doctor, is 74. He has the body of a man half his age. In fact he has a level of muscular definition that many men never achieve.

Genial, soft spoken, bald and lean, Life, who practised family medicine for much of his career, is a poster child for the longevity business.

He was in his late 50s when he realised that as a paunchy middle-aged man, he could drop dead at any time.

"I had really got out of shape, got a lot of body fat and was heading down a disastrous course of diabetes and heart disease," he says.

Inspired by a muscle magazine that someone left in his examination room, Life decided to get in shape. He started an intensive regime of working out at the gym and within a year transformed his body.

In 1998 he entered a competition, the Body for Life contest, for people who have made dramatic changes to their physique. To his surprise he won first prize in the section for 55-year-olds and older.

"It changed my life and I felt great," he says.

But as he got older he says he noticed that he was losing ground and finding it more difficult to maintain a lean body. While in his 60s, he visited Las Vegas for a medical conference and was introduced to Cenegenics, an age management company that aspired to make its patients "look and feel years younger". He went on to become a senior partner.
Life believes that the right kind of exercise and nutrition are important - but correcting hormone deficiencies are the key to his success.

"I got my blood checked and I found that I was profoundly deficient in testosterone," he says.

He now has weekly injections of the hormone.

"The problem is that when a man's testosterone gets low they lose their incentive to go to the gym.

"Even if they want to, they dread going to the gym and exercising and it's a losing battle. Especially abdominal fat around their belly. They spiral out of control.

"A lot of men come to me who are suffering from male-menopause, known as andropause, which creeps into their lives," he adds.

Andropause, says Life, is characterised by a decline in a man's sexual function, cognitive ability, an inability to get rid of body fat and fatigue.

He adds: "When I get their testosterone up to a healthy level, it changes everything. They get re-energised, they start seeing body fat disappear and muscle growing."

Different laboratories vary in what they consider to be a normal testosterone level. According to the Facey Medical Group, a health provider California, the normal reference range is 250 to 1100ng/dl. The Mayo Clinic says testosterone levels drop, within this range, by about 1% a year after the age of 30.

Andropause is not universally accepted by the medical profession as a definable condition for middle-aged and older men, although there has been a huge increase in the number of prescriptions for testosterone in recent years. As well as injections, gels are available and are widely advertised. Last year the British Medical Journal published a study which concluded that "many men in the UK are receiving unnecessary testosterone replacement".
Dr Life in his office Life's before photo stays above his desk as inspiration

It is an area of medicine that is subject to much debate and often focuses on the question of what is "normal" ageing.

Life argues that the medical profession is too conservative.

"Many doctors get the numbers and then they will tell their patient, 'Joe, your levels are normal', when in fact it is within the reference range, but it's at the bottom of the range. They don't tell you you're a D-student," he says.

Sex hormones - oestrogen in woman and testosterone in men - fulfil many roles in the body. Studies have shown that they are involved in age-related changes, such as the development of dementia.

Testosterone is fantastic," says Dr Christian Pike, a neurobiologist at the University of Southern California, who specialises in the brain and Alzheimer's disease.

"It increases aspects of cognition, it protects the brain from dying, it reduces Alzheimer's disease, I mean, it's wonderful," he says.

But Dr Pike has reservations about the recent trend towards an increased use of sex hormones to reverse the effects of ageing. He says further long-term research is needed to fully understand the way testosterone affects the body.

"It makes me a tad nervous," he says.

"We know that prostate tumours respond to testosterone with incredible growth."

Pike says there is promising research focusing on what can be done to turn on the brain's own testosterone-making system. He says relatively higher levels of testosterone are associated with greater longevity and that people who live longer have better levels of the hormone.

The challenge, he says, is balancing the benefits and the risks.

"So many of the factors that we are looking at are double-edged swords."

Opposition Parties’ Governors Meet, Endorse Merger Plans

2013-02-06T13:52:00.001+01:00

L-R: Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Abdullahi Abubakar Yari (Zamfara); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Kassim Shettima (Borno); Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Umaru Tanko Almakura (Nasarawa); representative of Yobe State Governor, Senator Jejere Alkali; Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Rochas Okorocha (Imo); and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun),

PDP warns against overheating the polity
•ACN: Rips into Okupe
• Merger talks expanded to include ANPP, APGA

Olawale Olaleye, Gboyega Akinsanmi, Chuks Okocha, Onyebuchi Ezigbo and John Shiklam

Governors from the opposition parties in the country rose from a five-hour meeting in Lagos Tuesday to endorse the ongoing bid by their parties to form an alliance that will enable them unseat the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2015 general election.

They said in a communiqué issued after the meeting, which was hosted by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, that the merger was necessary to rescue Nigeria from the PDP.

The PDP, which welcomed the meeting, however, cautioned the opposition parties against overheating the polity through their coalition.
In a related development, the nation’s leading opposition party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), yesterday warned the presidency to stop blaming the opposition for the inability of the Jonathan administration to improve the well-being of Nigerians.

Yesterday’s meeting of the opposition parties opened a new chapter in the ongoing negotiations among the parties to form a coalition ahead of the 2015 elections.

The meeting also laid to rest speculations over the number of parties involved in the coalition bid.

Prior to Tuesday’s meeting, the general perception had been that the coalition was an affair involving three parties: ACN, All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).

Besides the governors elected on these parties’ platforms, also in attendance at the Lagos meeting was Imo State Governor, Chief Rochas Okorocha, a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Others in attendance were Alhaji Kashim Shettima of Borno State (ANPP); Dr. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State (ACN); Senator Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun (ACN); Alhaji Abdul-Aziz Yari of Zamfara (ANPP); Alhaji Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State (CPC); Mr. Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State (ACN); Senator Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State (ACN); and Senator Degere Alkali, who represented Alhaji Ibrahim Gaidam of Yobe State (ANPP).

But the absence of Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party (LP), aroused the curiosity of reporters as to why he did not attend the meeting.

However, THISDAY checks revealed that Mimiko was not invited to the meeting, a sign that LP might not be part of the grand coalition of the opposition parties.

A source at the meeting told THISDAY that Mimiko was not invited to be part of the merger plans, especially since they know his position on the issue.

Although the source viewed his exclusion as an error on the part of the organisers of the meeting, he added that they did not bother to reach out to him since he might be disinterested in anything involving the ACN, given the bitter rivalry that characterised the 2012 governorship election in Ondo State.

“It was not deliberate. I think it was an error on the part of the governors. But then again, they couldn’t be bothered; we all know where the Labour man leans already.

“As such, it might be a waste of time involving him in such a sensitive discussion. There will be crisis of confidence since his loyalty to the group will be in doubt.

“Besides, Mimiko leans more to the other side. We can’t afford to compromise anything this time around,” the source said.

Another source close to Mimiko confirmed that the governor was not invited to the meeting, adding that even if he was invited, he might not have honoured it because of the relationship between him and the ACN leadership.

He said apart from the fact that the governor might not be comfortable with a setting that is predominantly anti-President Goodluck Jonathan, he was also busy yesterday being the day he signed the 2013 budget into law, adding that the merger meeting was secondary to the people and government of Ondo State.

Also absent was Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi of APGA, whose eight-year tenure ends next year when the state is expected to go to the poll to elect Obi’s successor.

But the source said that Obi was absent not because his tenure would soon end, but due to a clash of programmes.

He explained that the meeting was organised at short notice and Obi was at a funeral service, which he could not afford to miss.

The governors in a communiqué read to reporters by Shettima, said they endorsed the merger among their parties and others who might be interested in the alliance in order to rescue Nigeria from the brink.

The communiqué read in part: “We, the governors from 10 states of the federation rose from a meeting at the Lagos House, Marina, today, Tuesday, February 5, 2013.

“Having reviewed the situation in our country, we resolved that to rescue Nigeria is a task that must be done.

“As progressives and patriotic leaders of our people across party, religious and geo-political zones, we are extremely concerned about the state of the nation and we put our heads together in the interest of our people to deliberate on what can be done to recue our country.

“As governors, we fully endorse the merger initiatives already commenced by our various political parties and we will put our weight behind these efforts. Nigeria is greater than all of us and we have a duty to make it work for our people and the future of our children yet unborn.”

Responding to a question on what informed his attendance of the meeting, Okorocha said the merger had become necessary to save the country and its democracy and the likelihood of Nigeria being turned into a one-party state.

“I personally fully endorse this movement and merger. We are on a rescue mission here and the essence is about making Nigeria a better nation,” he added.

Amosun said the governors were desirous of making the merger work irrespective of whatever odds they might face.

Yari added that the meeting was necessary to save Nigeria from the PDP, adding: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is something else. If we are confident to say that, we are right. You can ask many people outside whether they have been happy with the PDP since 1999 to date.”

He further said that as leaders of the people, they were duty bound to rescue the nation because “we have the knowledge. We, the progressives, have the good intention to move the country forward. We are ready to move the PDP out of power.”

In his contribution, Fashola explained that the merger of the opposition parties was no longer an issue of scepticism and expressed confidence that with the commitment of the parties, they would give Nigerians a better alternative in 2015.

“I am convinced that the full weight of the 10 of us (governors) and many more who unfortunately could not make it today (yesterday) is a much stronger force.

“The underlying reason is to make Nigeria a better place. This is not the best Nigeria can have. We intend to deliver Nigeria the best,” he added.
But the PDP was unperturbed by the meeting, which it described as a
“welcome development”.
The party, which warned the opposition against overheating the polity, urged them to go about the merger according to the rules of the game.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olisa Metuh, said the merger would “usher in a healthy debate to the benefit of democracy and debates that would be based on how to improve the economy, the health sector and other sectors of the economy.

“PDP as a political party will only caution against deceit, falsehood and inciting Nigerians to violence, evil propaganda and other issues that are detrimental to the development of our democracy. We are willing and able to face them in the field at the appropriate time.”

Also Tuesday, the ACN pointedly told the presidency to
stop blaming the opposition for the failure of the Jonathan administration to make a positive impact on the lives of Nigerians.

The party said rather than blame the opposition, the presidency should blame the likes of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for allegedly contributing to the poor image of the administration.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, also explained that Okupe, rather than accept the fact that incompetence, cluelessness and inconsistency have become the hallmarks of the Jonathan administration, he has engaged in a futile attempt to deceive Nigerians through a pedestrian play on semantics.

It urged the Jonathan administration to address the issue of trust, do away with some government officials who lack credibility because of their past deeds and begin to take governance more seriously.

Meanwhile, the merger effort got a boost yesterday with the agreement reached between the CPC and ANPP to set aside their differences and enter into merger talks alongside the ACN and APGA.

In what appeared like a mediatory meeting brokered by ACN yesterday, the merger committees of CPC and ACN agreed to enlarge the meetings to include ANPP and APGA, signifying a departure from the previous plan announced by CPC that the party would only seal the merger deal with ACN.

A source at the meeting confirmed to THISDAY that following the shift in position by CPC, the duo has invited the ANPP merger committee to formally join them at the resumed talks today.

“CPC and ACN agreed to enlarge the talks to include ANPP and APGA as against the earlier insistence by CPC that it would only seal the merger deal with ACN," he said.

The source further disclosed that the parties also decided to extend an invitation to APGA to participate in fashioning out modalities for the emergence of a new opposition coalition party.

According to the source, the move to woo APGA into the coalition was fallout of the case made by Senator Chris Ngigie during the meeting.

Ngige, who represents Anambra Central Senatorial District at the Senate, was said to have spoken of the need to bring APGA on board, adding that it is the wisest thing to do since the party's national leadership had expressed support for the opposition merger.

Also, the former Governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of ANPP in the 2011 elections, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau, said yesterday in Kaduna that the party would not be a push over in the ongoing merger talks.

Shekarau, who chairs the 21-member committee of the ANPP coalition talks, addressed a meeting of stakeholders of the party in the North-west zone which held in Kaduna Tuesday.

He assured Nigerians that as leaders of the party, they would ensure that the right decision that is beneficial to all is made during the merger talks.

He said the committee was in the North-west zone to intimate stakeholders of the terms of reference of his committee.

According to him, one of the terms of reference of the committee is to interact with stakeholders and recommend ways of making the party more attractive and how to fund the party.

He added further that the committee was also charged with the responsibility of identifying members and leaders of the party who left and recommending ways of bringing them back into the fold.

During the meeing, the former Governor of Zamfara State, Senator Ahmed Sani (Yariman Bakura) also dismissed rumours that he was planning to dump the ANPP for PDP.

Sani, who is a member of the ANPP merger committee, told journalists that as long as the ANPP exists, he would continue to be a member of the party.

Inside the Mindset of a Nigerian Suicide Bomber

2013-02-05T18:04:00.003+01:00

No one ever lacks a good reason for suicide. – Cesare Paverse

Until June 16, 2011 suicide bombing was a distant phenomena few ever thought could occur in this realm. The harsh economic climate and heated geo-political space notwithstanding, it is very rare to see Nigerians, a people widely adjudged as the happiest on the face of the earth, take their own lives. It was even more unimaginable that someday, a Nigerian irrespective of whatever influence, will devise violent and extreme actions capable of brutally terminating his life, and extending the same deadly gestures to those around him.

So when Umaru Abdulmutallab, a 22-year-old Nigerian from an affluent background attempted to become the country’s first suicide bomber on a US-bound flight on Christmas Day 2009, many among his compatriots questioned his nationality, others his sanity.

Nigerians can’t be suicide bombers, it was reiterated.

Then the dreaded happened. Mohammed Manga, a 35-year-old Nigerian male, signed his name in the most gory of inks as the first suicide bomber ever to strike in the country. A recruit of extremist Islamic sect Boko Haram, Manga blew himself up in front of Nigeria’s police headquarters in Abuja, two and half years after Mutallab’s first unsuccessful attempt to set the record aboard the American airliner.

Here comes the multimillion dollar question, what could make a Nigerian volunteer to be a suicide bomber?

Like his counterparts in Arabia or elsewhere around the world, research has proven that money, education or the lack of both, is not a determinant factor that would either motivate or hinder a would be Nigerian suicide bomber. If it will be recalled, Abdulmutallab was from an illustrious home and had the best education money could offer. Mohammed Manga on the other hand was described as a fairly successful businessman.

In Robert Lamb’s How Suicide Bombers Work, both the glamorization of martyrdom and its establishment as a gateway to rewards in the afterlife are central, yet universal factors in the suicide bomber equation.

The glamorization of matyrdom is appealing to the often young and naive Nigerian suicide bomber, whose average age bracket is put between 18 – 24. For this set of people, the thoughts that his name becomes immortal is overwhelming. The pride, prospect and glamour at the ‘sense of a holy mission’ is appealing, and this sadly, is a bait their manipulative handlers exploit to the fullest.

‘A gateway to rewards in the afterlife’ should not be ruled out as a motivating factor for the Nigerian suicide bomber. The thoughts of seventy-two virgins for martyrs who paid the supreme price for fighting Allah’s cause is too strong to be relegated to the background. Likewise are the quests to avenge perceived political tyranny and economic imbalances.

So how does the Nigerian suicide bomber justify the killings of innocent souls? Israeli psychologists eager to understand the mindset of militant Islamic extremists postulate that at this point in the mindset of the suicide bomber, no one perhaps except for members of his sect is innocent. He is not about killing the innocent, he is killing the enemy.

Bazarre and Old!!!

2013-02-05T17:53:00.001+01:00

An undated photo released by the University of Leicester in England 4 February 2013 showing the skeleton remains of English king Richard III who was killed at the Bottle of Bosworth Field in 1485 following the confirmation by the university`s archaeologis

if USA was 9jaa

2013-02-01T16:58:00.001+01:00

If USA was Nigeria, today's headlines will read: •Don't celebrate yet, Romney tells Obama (TELL magazine) •Concede defeat, Obama urges Romney (Punch newspaper) • 20 opposition cadres riot (The Sun newspaper) • Romney Demands Vote Recount (Vanguard newspaper) • Elections rigged (Guardian newspaper) • No evidence of manipulation (NTA news) • The Church declares elections free and fair (News Line) • There will be violence if we lose; Romney declares (LTV 8 news) • Election results for Arizona awaited (Channels news) • Trucks with suspected ballot papers crosses into USA from Mexico (Tribune newspaper) • Romney is an opportunist - Go back to your farm (AIT news) • I will not accept results, Romney tells Obama (STV news) • McCain heads to Election Petition Tribunal (MITV) • White Majority rejects results (PM News) • EXPOSED: How Romney Lost US Election Due To Alleged Sex Scandal With Mistress (Nigeriafilms.com) • Kenyan Big Boy Senator Obama Throws Lavish Party to celebrate Election Victory (City People) • Free for all fight at Obama rally in Grant Park (Channels TV) • Northern elders, Arewa and Sultan rejects results (ThisDay) • The people behind Obama's victory: True story uncovered (Newswatch) • Ope baje fun Romney, ijoba te siwaju lowo arakunrin dudu Obama, gidi gidi ba oyinbo....(Alaroye Newspaper) Funny. But Let's Be Objective This Would Have Been The Report If USA Was Nigeria. Food For Thought. Learn And Change

Witchcraft: Groups rescues children in A/Ibom

2013-02-01T16:31:00.000+01:00

Eket (Akwa Ibom) – A team of Child Rights focused NGOs on Wednesday rescued two children accused of witchcraft at Okopedi Market, Okobo in Akwa Ibom. Officials of the Humanist Association for Peace and Social Tolerance Advancement (HAPSTA) and Child’s Right and Rehabilitation Network (CRARN), said at the scene that the rescue was a result of their collaborative campaign to curb child stigmatisation. Mr Ayobami Ojedokun, Project Centre Manager of HPSTA told reporters that the organisations were also collaborating with the Police and traditional rulers to reconcile the stigmatised children with their families. “The children we rescued today (Jan. 30) from the market, aged nine and 13, were abandoned and they were sleeping at the market in Okopedi area of Okobo Local Government of Akwa Ibom. “We have commenced the process of reconciling them with their families, the Police Division in Okobo and the traditional rulers have been very supportive. “Our aim is to use advocacy to sensitise the communities on the ills of stigmatising children and educate them that it is also illegal to brand children as witches in Akwa Ibom since 2008. “When advocacy fails we shall then resort to prosecuting the parents and those responsible for the stigmatisation,” Ojedokun said. He also said that the activities of the NGOs were driven by a network of community volunteers who report incidences of child-witch stigmatisation and abandonment. “We have a network of volunteers who often feed our field officers in areas with high prevalence of child witch cases, we got such a distress call and we visited the market and the children have received temporary relief,” he said. He noted that one of the victims accused of witchcraft was said to have injured a fellow child while playing, saying that belief in witchcraft practices by children was merely superstitious belief. (NAN)

2013-02-01T16:10:00.000+01:00

Love was in the air in a Tokyo park as normally staid Japanese husbands gathered to scream out their feelings for their wives, promising gratitude and extra tight hugs. With modesty and reticence traditionally valued over outspokenness, expressing deeper feelings like love has long been hard in Japan. That's why dozens of Japanese men gather once a year ahead of Jan 31, which in Japanese is a play on the words for "Beloved Wife," to let their feelings fly. Declarations at the Tuesday night event ranged from a simple "I'll love you forever" to expressions of gratitude for homemade boxed lunches. "I'm sorry that I've gained weight over the last seven years," a suit-clad man yelled. "But that's because the meals you cook are so delicious." "The economy is getting better in Japan and I see a lot of Japanese married couples getting more active in deepening their relationships," Yamana said. Wives in the audience laughed and clapped, especially when one man got down on his knees to offer his wife a bouquet. "He's very fabulous and manly today," said Yuko Todo, 33, after her husband Takeshi's performance. "It just reminded me how macho he used to be - I'd forgotten that in the eight years we've been married. My heart pounded."